406-245-0734

Douglas High School

Box Elder, South Dakota

Sitting Bull
by Asa - 9th Grade

Fast runner excellent rider

named for his father

met Crow warriors and earned eagle feathers.

a feat for him no bother.

From a beautiful light hair wholos blue glow

a son was produced from this wife

tragic lass brings joy and love from family

a tribute to his father's life.

a holy man with understanding

the complex Sioux beliefs and ways

his constant quest for infinite powers

dreams of buffalos and thunderbirds he prays.

Many battles for love of their ways

wounded on his hip and back

standoff's retreats and uncompromising mutiny against whites

it just wasn't in him to give too much slack.

Hunger and old cause for surrender

army concerns for his influential way

they decided to transport him and band as prisoners of war

for 20 months they would stay.

Fifty dollars a week in the wild west show

cursing in native tongue during his ride

some say he wanted good relations between Sioux and whites

charging for autographs he refused to hide.

Standing for what he believes

shot down by police in December

buried in Fort Yates moved to Mobridge

some claim its false your choice how to remember.

*******
Wild Wild Bill
by Jacob  - 9th Grade

Started out kinda small

soon to be known, Wild Bill

simple, driving stage coaches

a man that many, had a lust to kill.

Entered into a Civil War

was the best scout you ever did see!

made many friends, lost many in return

he soon decided to leave the army be.

Desires caved in

gambling and drinking non-stop

professional in every way

drank all the time, but he'd never drop.

Once a true man of enforcement,

dark, slick sharp-shooter of the law

every outlaw hid in shame

they'd look at crime and say "ha!"

Famous man belonged to the west

dangerous life lived

gambler, sheriff even a marshal.

So much he gived.

One dark day, one dark man

well old Bill took a blast to the head

such fear, struck all the folks,

now poor Bill lie's down dead.

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A Real Cowboy

by Kaylonie - 9th grade

 A real cowboy is not someone with a hat

or someone who rides for a game

a real cowboy isn't one who gives up

a real cowboy isn't looking for fame.

A real cowboy though

will always help a friend

and no matter how hard things get

they stick through it to the end.

You can always count on a real cowboy

because they will not do you wrong,

they are filled with all the years of hard work

and their strength and emotions are quite strong.

They are not afraid to let a tear roll down their face;

it doesn't make them less a man

because everyone can see the life

a real cowboy ran.

***********

Very Big Heart

by Chelsie - 9th grade

There he was in his cowboy hat

he has been a true cowboy from the start

his name is Casey Tibbs

and he sure had a big heart.

There he was a tough bronc rider

as he saddles up his horse

he sure was brave at only nineteen

he was very brave to go on this course.

There he was riding out to the arena

not scared but full of hope and faith

then the second bell has rung

and he has won with no disgrace.

There he was there for every one in need of help

it's sad this century as changed so much

people think they have to be cool

they are so judgmental and such.

There he is still a cowboy

even though the cowboy is slowly fading away

it really is sad

but maybe the cowboy will come back someday.

There he was in his cowboy hat his name was Casey Tibbs

he was a true cowboy from the start

he is a legend I will never forget

and sadly he isn't here today he was a cowboy

with a very big heart.

**************

Prairie Wind

by Jannelle - 10th grade

Moonlight on your shirt

grass at your thighs

your boots in the dirt

a coyote cries.

Silent as a mouse

no one to pretend

not even a house

just the prairie wind.

alone with the moon

singing with the stars

nothing anywhere soon

without all the cars.

Content as  rock listen to the quiet

no one that can mock

no more life not.

No one to meet

but fireflies, the grass fairy

nothing can beat

being alone on the prairie.

**************

The Old Homestead

by Bryan - 11th grade

Walking through the city one night

I remembered the old homestead

had an opportunity to run a ranch

but chose the city life instead.

One day I'll go back to that life

when I'll go I don't know

the city life is enjoyable

but someday I will go.

I miss my mother's cooking

and the warm campfire

working with horses and cattle

is my hearts desire.

I would like to go back

to the old homestead of course

the power of our cattle ranch

is a mighty force.

The smell of all the brandings

how the cattle became so mad

kicking in every direction

it was actually quite sad.

Now I smell the city

the cars, the buildings, the bustle

of all the crazy people

always in the hustle.

Now I wonder why I left

the ranch I loved so much

the cows, horses, and chickens

corn, wheat and such.

And I have decided

I will go back to my old life

rope in one hand

and in the other a knife.

I am a cowboy

noble and true

forever and ever

until my life is through

I will ride the prairie

on my horse and soar

forever a cowboy

and nothing more.

**************

Open Range

by Ashaleigh - 12th grade

His eyes may roam

for his road is long

my cowboy will sing to me

his heart-warming song.

Many of his nights spent by the fire,

to him this is not strange

my heart belongs to the lonesome cowboy

whose first love, after all, is the open range.

You see, he may never witness

the waves of the ocean blue

instead, every day he witnesses a miracle

for not only to himself, but to others as well is he true.

On this journey will he never tire

for there is much work to be done

this lonesome cowboy has no alarm

just the rising of the sun.

This song being whispered to me

is that from only him

my cowboy's love, the open range

but mine will just begin.

The color of the hills

beats within the lovely breast

within the breast of Poker Alice

could you find a truth better than the rest.

With a cigar in her mouth

and her gun in hand

welcome the lady to town

who's not afraid to stand.

She never sold herself

nor has he ever hung her head

never lost composure

your favorite woman on the homestead.

**************

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